Eastern District of California Blog

Crisp & Cole Defendant Sentenced to Three Years

Julie Dianne Farmer, the only defendant to go to trial in the Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud case, was sentenced Monday to three years in prison — 14 less than prosecutors had sought in what a federal judge called an emotional “nightmare” of a case.

Bakersfield Californian, 9/29/14.  [Disclosure: I'm involved in the defense.]

Crisp & Cole Straw Buyer Sentenced to 19 Months Prison

Another Crisp & Cole case defendant was sentenced today to 19 months imprisonment.  The Bakersfield Now story states that he served as a straw buyer for multiple properties and as a real estate agent for some transactions.

Former Crisp & Cole RE Agent Sentenced To Two Years Prison

The Bakersfield Californian reported that a former Crisp & Cole real estate agent was sentenced to two years in prison on Monday for his role in the mortgage fraud case.

Crisp & Cole Mortgage Fraud Update

The Bakersfield Californian (behind paywall) has a piece on what's left in the Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud case.  

Crisp & Cole Defendant Found Guilty On Most Counts

Yesterday, in the Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud case, a Fresno jury found defendant Julie Farmer guilty of five counts, but acquitted her of one count each of mail fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to launder money.  TurnTo 23; Bakersfield Californian.

Testimony Ends In Fresno Crisp & Cole Mortgage Fraud Trial

[4/18, 5 pm update: jury retires for weekend; deliberations resume Tue morning]

After the defendant and other defense witnesses testified, the defense rested yesterday in the Farmer Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud case.The government had no rebuttal. Jury instructions and closing arguments are scheduled for today. Bakersfield Californian, 4/17/14

 

 

Latest Coverage of Fresno Crisp & Cole Mortgage fraud trial

Here's the latest Bakersfield Californian coverage on the Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud trial in Fresno.

Today's Testimony In The Crisp & Cole Case

More from Bakersfield Californian on today's testimony in the Crisp & Cole mortgage fraud trial before Judge O'Neill.

Crisp & Cole Trial Update Day 1

Here's an update from the Bakersfield Californian on the first day of testimony in the "Crisp & Cole" mortgage fraud trial.

Last Defendant In Crisp & Cole Case Starts Trial Tuesday

The only trial to come out of Bakersfield's $30 million Crisp & Cole Real Estate mortgage fraud case is expected to focus on whether the woman who prosecutors say was the firm's No. 3 person understood what she was doing there was illegal.

Julie Dianne Farmer denies preparing the fraudulent mortgage applications at the heart of the case, saying she had a limited role in a very busy office. She maintains her biggest fault was putting too much trust in her bosses.

"Julie Farmer acted in good faith in all her actions while employed at Crisp and Cole," her Fresno defense attorney, Tony Capozzi, said in a written statement.

"She was not aware of any fraudulent activity or of any conspiracy during her employment. Crisp and Cole was the first real estate company that Ms. Farmer ever worked for. She was taught by people with far more knowledge and experience in the real estate industry."

Farmer is the only one of 15 defendants in the case without a plea deal. 

Bakersfield Californian, 4/5/14.  The trial starts Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. before Judge O'Neill in Fresno.  U.S. v. Farmer, No. 1:11-CR-0026-LJO.